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21 F or University of Iowa senior Hannah Stewart, patience is paying off. e Minot, North Dakota, native saw just 27 minutes of game action during her freshman campaign. Fast forward three years and Stewart is thriving in a starting role for the 12th-ranked Hawkeyes. In 20 starts this season, Stewart is averaging 12.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists — all single-season career highs. She has scored in double figures in 17 games. "I have to take what is there and not try to force anything," Stewart said. "We know the double team is coming on (All-American senior center) Megan (Gustafson), so it's important for both of us to recognize it and capitalize on it." Iowa's post duo has taken advantage this season. Gustafson and Stewart each rank in the top-20 nationally in field goal percentage. Gustafson leads the nation at 69.9 percent, while Stewart ranks 18th at 60 percent. ey are first and fourth in the Big Ten. Together, Stewart and Gustafson are scoring 39.3 points and averaging 18.9 rebounds per game. ey are shooting a combined 66.5 percent (335 for 506) from the field. "We practice it all the time," Gustafson echoed. "I know if the double or triple team is there that my post buddy is waiting and open on the other side. I'm confident she'll knock down the shot." e nationally ranked Hawkeyes enter ursday's contest at Michigan on a five-game winning streak thanks, in part, to several clutch plays from Stewart. During the five-game span, Stewart is averaging 12.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and shooting 69.8 percent from the field. In Iowa's 72-58 win over Purdue on Jan. 27, Stewart netted a career-high 21 points on 10 of 12 (83 percent) shooting from the field. Her 10 field goals also marked a career best. "I realized I had been thinking too much on things," Stewart said aer the win. "ere were a couple of times this week where I just got in the gym at night, cleared my head, shot baskets, and just kind of played basketball. It helps when you have the leading scorer in the nation that still likes to pass you the ball." "Hannah is amazing," Gustafson said. "I'm so happy for her, and I know the rest of our team is so excited for her, too. What's great is that I'm able to really depend on her. I am not alone down there and it helps to have that extra support." FEBRUARY SCHEDULE Feb. 3 at Penn State Feb. 7 Michigan State Feb. 10 at Ohio State Feb. 14 Illinois Feb. 17 Maryland Feb. 21 at Indiana Feb. 25 at Nebraska